Limited Access Drilling

Hoff Geotechnik provides limited access drilling services tailored for the mining and civil engineering industries. These services were initially developed for landslide remediation and rockfall hazard mitigation projects. Over time, we have expanded our offerings to include slope stabilization projects for deep excavations, such as mine box-cuts, hydro-power plants, decline shafts, and underground access portals. Our limited-access drilling system design and safety framework were established as early as 2003 by our founders.    

Limited access drilling is essential for projects involving rockfall hazard mitigation, slope stabilization, slope depressurization, pre-split blast holes, and geotechnical monitoring. These projects usually require specialized drilling systems in confined spaces. 

The alternative to limited access drilling is a setup involving scaffolding and high-access cranes. In most rockfall hazard mitigation projects, cranes and scaffolding are not feasible, and therefore, limited access drilling is the only practical way to do the job. 

Hoff Geotechnik has extensive experience drilling from suspended platforms at any height, whether below ground or in mountainous terrain. We can effectively drill through any geological formation, including both soft and very hard rock. Typical applications of our restricted-access drilling include:

• Pre-split drilling in mining and civil engineering

• Blasthole drilling in mining and civil engineering

• Weep-holes for mining and civil engineering

• Limited access drilling and blasting on steep slopes

• Slope stabilization and landslide remediation over steep slopes

• Mineral resource exploration along mountainous terrains and cliffs

• Rockfall protection projects along mountainous terrains and cliffs

Limited access drilling can positively influence major projects in the following manner:

• Improved productivity due to quick access

• Improved safety due to working according to the international code of practice 

• Efficient system using only certified equipment 

• Reduced cost of access 

• Careful planning and documented risk assessments

• Experienced and certified high-access technicians